Two Camp Cadet veterans recommend the program

June 05, 2003|By VICKI ROCK, Daily American Staff Writer

Chelsea Pluta and Andy Harvey said last year's Camp Cadet of Somerset County was "awesome," despite the military drill.

Chelsea, 15, Somerset, is the daughter of Debra and David Battista and Edward Pluta. Andy Harvey, 15, Friedens, is the son of John and Sandy Harvey. Both are finishing their freshman year at Somerset Area High School.

"I've always respected the uniform," Chelsea said. "I thought (Camp Cadet) would be wonderful. It was the coolest thing I've ever been to."

Without giving away too many details to this year's cadets, Trooper Jeffrey Brock, camp director, makes an opening presentation which makes the cadets think they've just enrolled in boot camp.

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"It got my attention," Andy said. "I was expecting to visit places. I didn't think I would have to march or be that organized. When I heard Trooper Brock's opening speech, I thought I was going to be in for a long week. The first couple of days, we were out there for hours marching. Then we started having fun. Overall, it was what I expected. I knew it was going to be tough."

Chelsea was dumbfounded when they were given 15 seconds to say good-bye to their parents and carry their belongings up a hill. Brock's presentation was very intimidating, which it is supposed to be.

"I've never been around anyone in the (police) profession," she said. "How many people get to ride in a tank? (They did when they visited the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Armory.) I'm so glad I got over my fear that it would be like boot camp and did it. I enjoyed it so much."

Chelsea and Andy have been chosen to be senior cadets for the third annual Camp Cadet being held in July at Outdoor Odyssey at Roaring Run, north of Jennerstown.

"They are able to participate in all activities that cadets participate in, but are in more of a leadership position than learning," he said. "They help the instructors immensely."

Cadets learn military drill and use the climbing and rappelling tower and the reaction course. Presentations are given, including the Special Emergency Response Team, the aviation section with a helicopter and the canine division. Cadets tour places off site, including the armory and the State Correctional Institution-Somerset.

State police in Somerset County operate the camp with help from state police in other counties, municipal police departments and the county detectives office. Board members include representatives from other county agencies.

Andy wants to join the state police after he graduates. While he liked the climbing and rappelling tower, to him the best thing about the week was visiting the Flight 93 memorial.

"We got up close and heard what they did and what happened there," Andy said.

Chelsea also thought the visit to the Flight 93 crash site was the best thing of the week.

"The coroner explained what happened and how they still collect pieces of plastic and things that come down from the trees when the wind blows," she said. "I could not imagine being in that situation - knowing you're going to die. I don't want to think of myself in that situation."

She is interested in forensic science and watches police programs on television. She enjoyed the presentation by the forensic division and the drug dog demonstration.

"I loved the forensic presentation," she said. "I'm interested in medicine, I think I want to be a cardiologist, but if that doesn't work out for me, I'm interested in going into forensics or I may be a lawyer. I keeping thinking about joining the state police or the military; the military because I would love to see other places and different cultures. My friends struggle deciding what to wear each day: other people struggle to stay alive or with their governments."

Andy said the worst thing at Camp Cadet was the marching.

"I still remember the oath (the cadets memorize an oath and recite it to receive a pin)," he said.

The two-mile run was actually easier than the military drill, he said. Each day the cadets run a little more to build up to it.

"This year, I want do so the same events without the marching," Andy said. "We get to visit the prison and the armory - we ride in a tank - and the rappelling wall. The reaction course makes you think. It took a couple of times (at different stations) to work out problems. All in all I had a good time."

Chelsea runs cross-country so she enjoyed the running.

"I loved camp so much," she said. "I thought we'd hear who was picked to be senior cadets earlier than we did, so I was bummed out because I thought I didn't get it. I want to do it to help other cadets through it. I'll encourage them. I think I'll be a good person to help them."

For her the worst thing was not being able to brush her teeth after breakfast. She was disappointed that some of the female cadets didn't have a good attitude about camp.